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With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the Toys for Tots charity has made its appearance on the campus of Saint Xavier University. Seeking out toy donations from the student body, SXU’S Student Veteran Alliance (SVA) is expecting many generous donations for children during this season.
Beginning on November 4 and continuing throughout the month to December 10, the Student Veteran Alliance has placed collection bins around campus for students to donate new, unwrapped toys to the Toys for Tots charity.
John Kelly, a co-adviser to the Student Veteran Alliance, provided some information and insight about the Toys for Tots event at SXU. Additional information was provided by Stephanie Stavrenos, the Student Veteran Alliance President.
“The purpose of the Toys for Tots program is to help less fortunate children not only have something to open on Christmas morning, but to also promote a message of hope,” said Kelly.
The Toys for Tots toy drive began with Kelly himself in 2012. Before Kelly, SXU participated in the Toys for Tots toy drive only on occasion. SXU has now taken part in the drive for three consecutive years, thanks to Kelly.
“When I was a student veteran here at SXU in 2012, I started the first drive. Then when the Student Veterans Alliance was formed (after I graduated) they took over. The SVA has been doing a great job with the Toys for Tots drive ever since,” said Kelly.
Stavrenos shares her own idea about the Toys for Tots charities and why it is important that this drive is supported on campus.
“This [charity] is to bring toys to people who are less fortunate, budgets are always tight, parents always want to want to spoil their kids at Christmas, and this gives them the opportunity to do that. It’s amazing the turnout that we have and how generous people are at this time of the year,” said Stavrenos.
Anyone can participate in this charity by purchasing a toy and placing it in one of the donation bins located around campus. Kelly notes that “only new unwrapped toys can be accepted for donation. Please no stuffed animals as they can get dirty during the handling process.” No matter what toy is donated, a child will be happy to receive it on Christmas morning.
“The Saint Xavier community has always been very generous in regards to this toy drive, but with that being said there can never be too many donations,” said Kelly. For Stavrenos, the excitement of picking out toys for children is something she loves about the Toys for Tots charity.
“I actually love shopping for toys. I don’t have any small children in my family at this point, I only have one nephew, and I don’t have too many people to shop for. I want to give, and this is a great way to focus that giving spirit and to get people involved. I love going and picking out toys that I think children will like and trying to keep in mind different age groups, or boys versus girls, and overall who might like what. I really like shopping for the holidays and this is a very rewarding feeling to be able to donate a few things,” said Stavrenos.
One of the main locations to donate a toy is at the Student Veteran Resource Center. Other locations include, but are not limited to: the Shannon Center, the Campus Life Office, the Office of Admissions, and Gilhooley’s, where donors will find a large bin to place the toys in for the charity.
If this is something that a student may be interested in, more information can be found at the Toys for Tots website, or through contact with Kelly by email: johnkelly@sxu.edu.
As an incentive for faculty, staff, and students over the age of twenty one, Gilhooley’s offers a $1 domestic beer bottle in exchange for the donation of a toy. Another event hosted by the SVA that is being held at Gilhooley’s is a Chili Cook-Off on Wednesday November 18th.
Anyone can bring in a pot of chili for the tasting at no charge, however there is a $3 charge to taste the varying flavors of chili. For updates and information about upcoming events, students are encouraged to ‘like’ the SVA’s Facebook page: Student Veteran Alliance at Saint Xavier University.
It is encouraged to give back during the holiday season and this charity is an excellent way to do so. In the past, SXU has given many generous donations which have been greatly appreciated by the recipients of the toys and their families.
“We’re grateful for the support we receive from the school. It would be excellent to be able to show the Marine Corps when they pick up these toys at the end of the season what our school is capable of and what happens when we all come together. It’s something to be proud of,” said Stavrenos
Julie Gardner
Senior News Editor